Stitchin' Post in Sisters

Employee QS Dinner 2011

Last week, the Stitchin' Post employees took a little break from
Quilt Show preparations to enjoy a meal together at Jean's lovely home. 

 

Jean thanks the group
for all the hard work
that goes into preparing for Quilt Show!

 

 

Delicious Polynesian-themed buffet catered by Tate & Tate Catering!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely flowers arranged by
Flowers by Deanna

 

 

 

Glorious backdrop provided by Mother Nature!

 

 

 

 Thank you Jean for a lovely
evening and a
special place to work!

Of course the highlight of the evening was the
"unveiling" of our employee challenge quilts...

 

 

But you will just have to wait until
Quilt Show Day to see those!

Another idea...

Nicole G. stopped in the Stitichin' Post on Monday,
to show us how she used the

2011 Quilt Show Panel:

Nicole also used fabrics from Kathy Deggendorfer's line "My Sunshine"
which coordinate with the panel. 

Beautiful job Nicole~ thanks for sharing!

Tune in to Quilting Radio...

Don't miss Jean's live interview on

American Patchwork & Quilting Radio today!
(4pm Eastern, 3pm Central, 2pm Mountain, 1pm Pacific)

She will be reminiscing about past quilt shows
and talking about special events happening at this year's
36th Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

 

Charmer #5

Continued confessions of a charm pack junkie~

Here is my latest "charmer"  and I believe...my new favorite wall hanging!

 

I used the 2011 Quilt Show Panel by Kathy Deggendorfer:

 

And one of our Stitchin' Post Custom Cut Charm Packs:

Of course, I had to use one of the

Creative Grids Charming 5 Square Templates!

This time, it was the very basic 5 Square Template. 

It is THE PERFECT tool for fussy cutting the animal squares from each side of the main panel.  I also used the 5 Square Template for cutting the charm square fabrics into strips and squares, to go around the focal blocks with little animals.  

 

 

 

 

Now...if this wasn't cute enough already,

I put a surprise on the backside...

YES!  It's fully reversible!

(Thank you Sally B. for quilting a design that works well on both sides!)

Lawry is writing up pattern instructions,

so you too can make this sweet two-sided charmer!

Enjoy~ Tamra

 

 

 

 

Great Summer Bags to Knit/Crochet

Here are four fabulous (and easy!) bags you can make in the car during your next summer road trip.  We even have free patterns at the store~ be sure to request a pattern with your purchase of yarn.

 

 

 

Linen Grocery Tote~

Made with one skein of Araucania Ulmo Multy Yarn and a D-sized crochet hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix Market Bag~

Knit from two skeins of Ella Rae Phoenix Yarn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draw String Bag~

Made with one skein of Rowan Purelife Revive Yarn and a D-sized crochet hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabled Bag~

Knit from one skein of Araucania Patagonia Yarn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Charmer #4

Continued confessions of a charm pack junkie~

Here is my latest charm pack accomplishment.  This time I used Creative Grids Charming 5 Square Template #5 (Set On Point Square).  (Have I mentioned that I love these templates?) I used the pattern that is included with the template and one charm pack of "Fa La La La La" by French General.  To complete the tablerunner, you will need 1/2 yd of fabric for backing and 1/4 yd for binding. 

 

 

I did not do a traditional binding.  I used Jean's method of making a Frame Facing, which makes the table runner very "reversible."

 

   

 

 

 

 

  I was feeling pretty lazy at the time, and didn't want to hand sew the facing to the back.  What I did instead:  I used my sewing machine's blanket stitch and was very careful to keep the facing straight.  I like the added touch this detail gives to the French General look.

From a New Friend in Australia~

Dear Jean and Valori,

I am a massive fan of both your works and designs, and find it most inspiring to look at – doing what you are is my dream come true!  Please continue as this provides me with the perfect escape from reality!

I design baby quilts as they are fast to make and are popular – this is just one design:

If I was in your part of the world, I would wear out your doorstep!  If I am ever able to come to the USA, a visit to Sisters would definitely be on my list, but for the time being I will visit you via my computer screen.

All the best in your ventures.

Kind regards,

Lisl in Australia

Kathy Deggendorfer mugs and totes have arrived!

Kathy Deggendorfer's collection of My Sunshine Mugs have arrived~ these make the perfect gift from Sisters, Oregon, or souvenir from the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  Mugs this cute won't last long, so get yours today!

We also received tote bags with Kathy's design of the Three Sisters Mountains!  These durable totes have webbing handles and a zipper, perfect for transporting projects to and from classes~ be the envy of all your quilty friends!

 

 

 

Simply Made...

Hello my Stitchin' Post friends....this is Val. I am here to share Simply Made.....

This is my first instalment of Simply Made. What is Simply Made? Let me tell you....I have tons of ideas and projects that are easy, and great weekend or day projects, as well as yummy food and drink recipes. I thought that I would start sharing them with all of you....

This week I will share my Pencil Case pattern. I love to carry my sketch book around but I dislike not being able to find a pencil or pen when I need it. This pattern solves all of those problems.

Ready to make a pencil case?

Pencil Case....

3 3/4" x 8" finished size

What you will need...

Fat Quarter for outside of pencil case or scraps the size of the cutting measurement

Fat Quarter for the lining of pencil case or scraps the size of the cutting measurement

Thread for Decorative Stitching and sewing together

7" zipper

*optional - elastic to attach to the pencil case so that you can put it around your sketch book and never be with out a pen or pencil - for my sketch book I pulled the elastic around the book making it tight, subtracted the finished size of the case, 8". My elastic size came out to 8" long. I used a cord type of elastic but you can use any type of elastic.

Cutting...

Cut 2 - 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" pieces from outside fabric

Cut 2 - 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" pieces from lining fabric

Sewing....

1. Stitch decorative lines on the ouside pieces of the case if desired.

2. Press the top edges on all four pieces of fabric down 1/4".

 

3. Place the zipper right side up on the foleded edge of one of the lineing pieces.

4. Place one of the outside pieces folded edge on top of the zipper. Pin through all three layers. Making sure the fabric pieces are lined up and at the edge of the zipper.

5. Using a zipper foot, stitch along the edge of the fold. Do not sew over pins.

6. Repeat the pinning and sewing process for the other side of the pencil case.

7. Unzip the zipper and place the outside fabric right sides together and the lining pieces right sides together.

8. Pin around the edges of the pencil case, make sure you fold the edges of the zipper area to the lining side.

*If you are adding the elastic - pin one end of the elastic piece to the edge of the outside piece of fabric - lining up the end with the raw edges, lay it over the fabric making sure not to twist and pin to the other side. When you sew around the case the elastic will be secured in the seam.

9. Leaving a 2" opening at the bottom of the lining pieces stitch around entire piece.

10. Carefully clip the corners.

11. Pull the case right side out through the opening at the bottom of the lining.

12. Push the corners out with a chop stick and press entire piece.

13. Top stitch along the bottom edge of the lining to close hole.

14. Push the lining into the outside piece.

15. TaDa your done!!!!!

If you need a cool journal....Rag and Bone Bindery makes amazing journals, even using Del Hi Yellow Pom Pom Dahlia...which they call Zinnia. I sent them some of my fabric and they made journals just for us at Twigs (that is our gift shop next to the Stitchin' Post)......

Bloom... one of the great things about these journals is that they are hand made and the paper is AMAZING.....

Ingrid....

Jenaveve....this is the one I have, looks a little different because they are hand made.

Wrenly...

I hope you enjoyed the first Simply Made....Have a Great Weekend!!!!

XXOO
Valori

Spend some quality time together!

Idea #5 (for keeping the kids busy!)~

Stitch-It and Knit-it Kits by The Little Experience

Sewing and knitting are what we do best here at the Stitchin' Post & TWIGS.  We hope to see those skills passed on to the next generation!  Remember who helped you take your first stitches ?  I bet that person still holds a special place in your heart....

 

This summer, spend some quality time together,
building memories and teaching a skill that can bring joy for a lifetime! 

We hope you enjoyed our "Kid Series" this week and have perhaps found an activity you can share with the young people in your life.  There are so many ideas we can share with you...stop by, we'd be happy to show you more! 

 

Enjoy the carefree days of summer... they pass by so quickly!